Doctor of Chiropractic
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A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C. or DC) - also known as a "chiropractor" or "chiropractic physician" -depending on the jurisdiction - is a health professional who seeks to diagnose, treat, correct, and prevent neurological, skeletal, or soft tissue dysfunction by employing manual therapies the most frequent being spinal and other articular adjustments and manipulations. A D.C. is considered a "primary health care" provider in the United States and Canada. Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effect of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and on general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal manipulation or adjustment. By restoring normal function to the musculoskeletal system chiropractors can play a major part in relieving disorders, and any accompanying pain or discomfort, arising from accidents, stress, lack of exercise, poor posture, illness and everyday wear and tear. Chiropractors take a holistic approach to health and wellbeing: this means that they consider its physical, psychological and social aspects.
[edit] Modus operandi
He or she evaluates a patient's health by conducting a history and physical examination. This examination utilizes inspection, palpation, and other diagnostic testing including, but not limited to diagnostic imaging, laboratory diagnostics, etc. After diagnoses have been made, a Doctor of Chiropractic may choose several non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical methods to correct vertebral subluxations /vertebral joint dysfunctions (VJD) and other neuromusculoskeletal ailments to re-establish better neurological, muscular, and skeletal function in the body. Most methods include some form of manipulation/adjustment where a specific manual contact point is calculated and a specific force is delivered along specific vectors to correct the vertebral misalignment. This adjustment is made by contacting specific bony structures at the spinal level where the chiropractor has found the subluxation/ restricted/fixated vertebral segment. The chiropractor makes use of a variety of diagnostic tools to determine the location and nature of the subluxation/VJD however the validity of some of the procedures has been called into question.
[edit] Prescribing
The Chiropractic physician prescribes other conservative means of treatment for promoting wellness, including: basics of proper nutrition, exercise and ergonomics instruction, lifestyle counseling, and emotional support. Many chiropractors receive additional training to be qualified to use a variety of other treatments including acupuncture, as well as naturopathic and herbal remedies in order to better serve their patients' needs.
While other professions are concerned with changing the environment to suit the weakened body, chiropractic is concerned with strengthening the body to suit the environment. - B. J. Palmer
The chiropractic approach to health places an emphasis on the health of the individual patient and on the health of the entire community. A Chiropractic physician fulfills this role by encouraging and fostering conditions that prevent disease and recommending lifestyle habits that promote health and general wellbeing. A doctor of chiropractic recognizes the need for other forms of therapy when indicated; and interacts fully with other members of the health care profession. When a condition in one of their patients presents that is beyond the scope of chiropractic, the Doctor of Chiropractic is well trained to make note of this and make an appropriate referral to the correct specialist in the healthcare field.
The scope of practice for the Doctor of Chiropractic varies from one State or region to another. A different set of laws and governing bodies therefore exists for each one and describes what the chiropractor is allowed to do in his or her jurisdiction. Doctors of chiropractic are currently unable to prescribe medications; as it goes against their holistic foundings although chiropractors in the UK are set to gain limited prescription rights in 2008.
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